Drawing on a rainy day can be so much fun! Even though your mood can be affected, there’s something about hearing the steady pitter patter of raindrops can be soothing.

The cool thing about #blackpanther coming out was that people have begun to appreciate my knack for doing African American hairstyles. So I have more opportunities among that community. The plain drab styles are giving way.

It’s silly in a way; why should it matter? But there’s definitely been an increase in pride in ourselves.

I love it when I’m drawing. When I am completely dialed in, my music is working with my mood and I have everything coming together, it’s the best feeling.

It hasn’t always been the case. For a very long time, I could only produce my best work when I was feeling negative emotions. How did this happen? I have a few suspicions, but it doesn’t matter.

What mattered was getting out of that dynamic.

The first step was to pick a different setting. I started drawing in more animated, cheerful environments. It helps you stay out of the negative emotions and puts you in a proper frame of mind.

Next is my music choice. Sorry #evanescence but I associate them with my divorce; a very dour time in my life. I have an entire playlist of inspirational, pick me up music. It made a tremendous difference!

Lastly, I got rid of all interruptions. This was the hardest; I would draw during lulls at work, as some of you know. I had to make sure that my time was dedicated to the art completely.

I guess you could say I had to focus, although I still sketch ideas when I first get them.

Anyway, that’s it. Repetition and practice makes it easier to get in your zone. And detaching your art ability from emotional states will free up your creative ability.

What’s the weirdest day that you’ve had so far this year? Mine was Sunday and it involved This picture…

So, when I draw publicly, I usually meet two kinds of people: those who love my work and others. Well I met a new version of human, the student artist.

God help me.

I had a wonderful young lady with horrible self esteem sit right next to me and begin trying to draw the EXACT SAME PICTURE. I didn’t say anything. I let it go.

Then she nudges me to ask for paper. I looked at her and handed her one sheet of my marker paper. Not happy about it, but it wasn’t worth making a scene.

Then she tried to grab some markers.

I took them back and told her that this wasn’t group activity. So she screamed at me and threw her coffee and left.

I have no idea why it happened. It definitely killed my mood. I actually had a girl ask me if my girlfriend was okay! I explained that I didn’t know her and that she was taking my supplies. She didn’t seem to believe me.